The young lady was my heart’s desire. She was my long-time prayer. This, when I was a much younger version of myself. It was on the 11th day of the 11th month when her letter arrived. She wrote briefly and dispassionately. Her words drained the room of colour.
Unanswered prayers and the unexpected things in life Read More »
(The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday, October 8, 2016)
MUKONO, UGANDA ✦ Someone (a writer, naturally) once said that writing is like prayer. Prayer, it seems to me, is like gardening. I’ve struggled with all three.
The small garden behind our African home is testament to this. Many seasons it’s been a disappointing annoyance. Nearby trees steal valuable sunlight and nutrients. I suppose the space should never have been chosen to start.
On gardening, grace and writing Read More »
The horrible news of the attack at Garissa University College in neighbouring Kenya came shortly after we, as a family, attended Good Friday services this morning. The al-Shabab attack that killed at least 147, not far from the Somalian border, was in an area known for its instability, at a relatively small and certainly vulnerable
Dark news on Good Friday Read More »
When you’re an 11-year-old and a boy in your class asks you to go out and it’s the day before Valentine’s Day and he even gives you a rose, what’s a girl to do? This was the situation yesterday for Liz. Of course, it takes great courage for a boy to muster all it takes
What’s better than wine and stronger than death? Read More »
Today was a big day for Baby Eliana and her family. Three months to the day after this Ugandan miracle child was born a preemie not much bigger than a pet mouse, she went home. Eliana was born at a staggering 25 weeks, 15 weeks early, on Oct. 21, 2014. After being taken off of oxygen
Baby Eliana arrived home today Read More »
It’s morning, the first of a new year, and the kids are sleeping in. I start in Jonathan’s room. I kneel at his bed and stroke his forehead and say “Hey little man,” and kiss him before he groggily comes to. And then I ask God to bless his day and the rest of his school holidays
New Year’s morning Read More »
She’s hardly a perfect girl, but there is one thing about our adopted daughter, Hannah, she can say things from time to time that show just how profoundly thankful she is to be in our family. Even at her young age — she’s just 8 — she knows enough about her own story. On the
On adoption, giving thanks and growing young Read More »
They don’t say it in schools in Ontario anymore, of course, but in the day, they did, we all did, day after day, year after year, right alongside the playing of God Save the Queen, the prayer that is The Prayer, the one that is called the Lord’s Prayer. By the time I finished my
I believe in you. I love you. I am here. Read More »
